Aphiwe Dyantyi has done his time so if he regains the form that made him World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2018 there is nothing stopping him from returning to the Springbok No 11 jersey.
That was the message from South Africa’s national director of rugby Rassie Erasmus when he was asked about Dyantyi’s status during a press conference at the start of the Bok preparation camp for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in Pretoria.
Dyantyi was banned from rugby for four years in December 2019 after testing positive for a banned substance, with the test having been conducted in August of that year, shortly before the Boks left for their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan.
His ban is due to end in early August, subject to clarification from World Rugby, and he is set to make his return playing for the Cell C Sharks, who confirmed his imminent return to the playing field earlier this week.
Welcome back, Aphiwe Dyantyi ??.@aphiweQ04 - @SharksRugbypic.twitter.com/flzWf6KlhP
— MB5 (@MB5Plug) June 13, 2023
Of course after four years not playing there is no question of Dyantyi making it back into the Bok squad just yet, but Erasmus hasn’t ruled that out from happening in time.
“Four years is a long time to be banned for, so it is not very sensible for a player to try something like that (banned substance) in this day and age,” said Erasmus.
“We have very stringent testing processes in place. During a training camp four to five guys get tested every day. But I believe in second chances. There has been a ban, that was what the disciplinary decided, and he has now served that ban and had his punishment.
“So I hope he comes back and does really well for the Sharks. Hopefully then we will be able to pick him for the Springboks again. I know many will disagree with me, but he has served his sentence, he’s been punished and now he is back. We believe in second chances.”
Dyantyi has been training with the Sharks for the best part of the last year so he should be physically ready to restart his career, it is just a case of him getting back into the thick of things as a player. One thing Dyantyi, who was playing for the Emirates Lions before his ban, can be assured of is that he will be welcomed with open arms by his new Sharks teammates.
"I've seen him play and know how good he is, he is obviously a very talented rugby player and he comes to the Sharks with a clean slate," said the Sharks' Currie Cup captain Reniel Hugo this week.
"He will be encouraged to just go out there and enjoy his rugby. And I am sure he will be super motivated to do well as it is true what they say about you never knowing what you have until it has been taken away from you. He lost rugby for a while so he will have a big hunger and he will inspire us. I am excited about the prospect of him playing for us and look forward to him joining us. We will welcome him."